THREE Bishop Auckland girls made a rapid rise to the top of the martial arts world.

Hannah Robinson, aged 11, Sophie Coulthard, 13, and her 15-year-old sister Holly, have joined the elite band of people holding Taekwondo black belts after just three years.

The trio, who train twice a week at Kings James 1 Community College with Kath Allinson of the Kim Chungo Kwan Taekwondo group, worked extra hard to move through the grading system, earning their coveted black at a grading day in Sheffield.

Hannah said: "We have done every grade from white to black and have been able to double up a few times so it has been very quick."

Mrs Allinson said: "The girls have been very dedicated.

"I couldn't have had three better students."